Long-time Arq nightclub venue manager James Mavety is set to return to the venue, now operating under the name Aura, after departing last year.
Known as the “face of ARQ”, Mavety was the club’s venue manager for 25 years, often seen in a suit and tie at its entranceway, and also previously served as its licensee.
Mavety’s return comes amid a change in leadership at Aura, with former Arq general manager Greg Parker and licensee Lynh Pham recently departing the venue. Both had continued working at Aura following Arq’s closure and rebranding.
Liquor licensing records show Vladimir Matovic has replaced Pham as licensee. According to his LinkedIn profile, Matovic has experience as the general manager of Noir nightclub.
Aura is preparing to host two major queer events in the coming weeks – the Thick ‘N’ Juicy underwear party on Friday, August 1, and Poof Doof’s Red Rave first birthday on Friday, September 5. These will be the first gay parties held at the venue since new management rebranded it as Aura in June.
Aura co-founder Dave Auld, who is also a co-founder of Noir nightclub, confirmed that both Parker and Pham chose to step away from the business.
“Both managers decided to move on to do something else,” Auld told Gay Sydney News. “This was their decision.”
He said Mavety would soon rejoin the venue as general manager.
Around this time last year, Mavety was dismissed from Arq along with seven contracted security guards after the owner of Home The Venue took over management of the club, prior to its relaunch as Aura.
When Aura opened, it issued a media release stating: “In a show of deep respect for ARQ’s legacy and loyal community, the new ownership will retain ARQ’s existing management team, ensuring continuity, integrity, and the preservation of long standing relationships with promoters.”
“We’re not here to wipe the slate clean,” said Auld at the time of the rebranding.
“We’re here to build on a foundation of loyalty, passion, and culture, evolving it for a new generation, while honouring the community that made this place iconic.”
Gay Sydney News attempted to contact Pham and Parker through an intermediary on Saturday but did not receive a response by Sunday.
Mavety told Gay Sydney News that Auld had contacted him to ask if he would be open to returning.
“I’m genuinely excited to be part of the next chapter for what is truly an outstanding venue,” Mavety said.
Auld said he was “very pleased to have James back and I’m keen to be working with him as I am personally involved a lot with Aura”.
Auld also revealed that Thick ‘N’ Juicy events were “locked in well into 2026” and that discussions were ongoing with GAYM Entertainment owner Jesse Lawson to host events at the venue. GAYM’s events include weekly club night DéjàVu, Morning Glory, ShipREKT, Horrorween Festival and Oracle.
In addition to club nights, Auld said Aura was exploring weekday comedy events and “other things outside the normal nightclub events”.
“It’s a versatile space and we intend on using what we’ve created to bring a lot of different offerings to the venue,” he said.
Ben Grubb is the founder and editor of Gay Sydney News, an independent publication covering LGBTQIA+ news. A journalist with more than 15 years' experience, he has reported and edited for The Sydney Morning Herald, The Age, WAToday, Brisbane Times, The Australian Financial Review, News.com.au, ZDNet, TelecomTimes and iTnews, primarily on the topic of technology. He previously hosted The Informer, a queer current affairs program on Melbourne’s JOY 94.9 radio station, and contributes to LGBTQIA+ media including Stun Magazine. Ben has also appeared as a technology commentator on Channel Ten's The Project, ABC RN’s Download This Show and commercial radio stations 2UE, 2GB and 6PR. Contact Ben: ben.grubb@gaysydneynews.com.au
